In the
midst of the uproar, Mrs. Jahleel Woodbridge, Squire Edward's sister,
died. The violence of the mob was such, however, that Edwards did not
dare to avail himself of even this excuse for refusing to furnish
liquor to the crowd.
The funeral took place Tuesday. It was the largest and most imposing
that had taken place in the village for a long time. The prominence of
both the families concerned, procured the attendance of all the gentry
of Southern Berkshire. I employ an English phrase to describe a class
for which, in our modern democratic New England, there is no
counterpart. The Stoddards, Littles, and Wendells, of Pittsfield, were
represented. Colonel Ashley was there from Sheffield, Justices Dwight
and Whiting from Great Barrington, and Barker from Lanesborough, with
many more. The carriages, some of them bearing coats of arms upon
their panels, made a fine array, which, not less than the richly
attired dames and gentlemen who descended from them, impressed a
temporary awe upon even the most seditious and democratically inclined
of the staring populace. The six pall-bearers, adorned with scarves,
and mourning rings, were Chief Justice Dwight, Colonel Elijah Williams
of West Stockbridge, the founder and owner of the iron-works there,
Dr.
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